The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, has announced the commencement of a Counter Terrorism Incident Simulation Exercise codenamed “Operation Darkin Gaggawa”, to counter the planned terrorists attack on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The exercise, which is with immediate effect, followed the security alert issued by the United States Embassy in Abuja that there could be possible terrorist attack in the city this week.
Force Public Relations Officer, Olumiyiwa Adejobi, who made the disclosure, said the exercise would involve diversion of traffic, use of blank ammunition, and other operational manpower and assets, aimed at improving interoperability and synergy between different Units and Formations of the Force, in response to terrorist incidents and other violent crimes.
He, therefore, urged the public to go about their legitimate duties and not to panic at the sounds of explosives and gunshots during the exercise.
Adejobi, in a statement, reassured Nigerians and all other residents and visitors in the country that it will effectively review the United States of America Embassy in Abuja’s security advisory, which was issued, widely circulated, and published by the media on October 23, 2022, indicating an elevated risk of terror attacks in the country, particularly in the capital city of Abuja.
He said a review of the advisory was necessary, due to the fact that police, as the lead agency in internal security, will not take any threat intelligence, either actionable or not, for granted; thus, no cause for alarm, “as all hands are on deck to collectively nip threats in the bud. The police, thereby, urges the general public not to panic at the sounds of explosives and gunshots during the exercise.
“The Inspector-General of Police, therefore, reiterates the commitment of his administration to ensuring safety of lives and property within the country via the effective deployment of tactical and operational assets for effective intelligence gathering and proactive policing. He further reassures Nigerians of a safe and secured country for all,” the statement added.